Still rowdy in the Rockies: stay inbounds!

Quick report

andysadamson · Dec 19, 2018 · Sunshine

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Quick report

Weather
windy, cloudy, sunny
Ride Type
mellowSlopes, denseTrees
Stayed Away
alpineSlopes, steepSlopes, convexSlopes
Riding Quality
OK
Snow Conditions
heavy, windAffected
Avalanche Conditions
avalancheConditionSnow, avalancheConditionSlab

Searching for super mellow line down Wawa Ridge today; highly conscious of very reactive conditions. Hand shear on ascent found 50 cms+ 4F/1F HST overlying dense P WSL. Hand shear failed on isolation. Whilst traveling gingerly along height of ridge past Sunshine repeater we generated a Sr (10m) sz 2.0 on 20-25 degree North aspect. Crown depth 20 cm - 120+ where wind-loaded, scrubbed right to basal facets around rock talus (Oct 26 MFC likely). Sufficiently spooked (and reminded to respect Mother Nature) we bravely retreated back down up-track to inbounds ski area. On descent we Sr another sz 2.0 (20 m) - propagated over 100 m but obscured vis prevented inspection. AA, AG